Belles doubt over Exley for Liverpool home game

Steve Hossack
Women’s Football

DONCASTER Rovers Belles’ are sweating on the fitness of veteran midfielder Vicky Exley ahead of tonight’s Women’s Super League clash against Liverpool at the Keepmoat Stadium (7.45).

The former England star, who suffered a thigh injury in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Bristol Academy, is a key figure in the Belles’ set-up. But manager John Buckley told The Star: “If there is any doubt we won’t risk her with two more games in the next eight days.

Irrespective of whether Exley, who got Belles’ WSL campaign off to a winning start at Lincoln last month, Buckley intends to ‘freshen’ things up against the Reds.

He will also be demanding more communication on the pitch than was the case at Bristol, where Belles slumped to a second successive defeat.

“We didn’t talk to each other and you can’t expect to win any game when that is the case,” he said. “I will certainly be looking for an all-round improvement; we can’t afford a third successive defeat.”

Liverpool have made a mixed start to the season. They have reached the WFA Cup final - beating Belles 3-0 at home in the quarter-final - but dropped to the bottom of the table.

“Despite their position they are a good side,” said Buckley. “I tried to sign their striker Cheryl Foster, who is a good player, about a year ago.